WM. T. HAMILTON, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

733

Maryland, with whom the best and most advanta-

geous terms can be obtained, and they may take the

road which to them may seem most suitable and

proper.

SECTION 8. And be it enacted, That the board of

directors of said company, or a majority of them or

their agents, may agree with the owner or owners

Agree with

of any lands, earth, timber gravel or other material,

owner.

or any improvement necessary for the construction

or repair of any part of said road or its works, for

the purchase or use or occupation of the same; and

in case they cannot agree, or if the owner or owners,

or any of them, be a feme covert, minor or non

compos mentis, or out of the county in which the

property wanted may lie, or where such land or

material may be needed, on application to a justice

of the peace of such county he shall issue his war-

rant under his hand and seal, directed to the sheriff

of said county, requiring him to summon a jury

Disagreement
— how settled.

of twenty inhabitants of said county, not related

to the owners nor in any wise interested in the

premises, to meet on the land to be valued on a

day to be specified in said warrant, not less than

ten nor more than thirty days after issuing the

same; and in case any of the jurors aforesaid do

not attend, he, the said sheriff, shall instanter sum-

mon as many jurors as may be necessary, with the

jurors in attendance, to furnish a panel of twenty

jurors in attendance, and from such panel each

party, his, her or their agent or attorney, may strike

four persons; and if either be not present in person

or by agent or attorney, or being so present shall

refuse to strike as aforesaid, the sheriff may strike

Sheriff may
Strike off.

off four jurors for such absent or refusing parties,

and the remaining twelve of such panel shall act

as the jury of inquest of damages; and before they

act as such the sheriff shall administer to each of

them an oath or affirmation, as the case may be, that

he will justly and impartially value the damages

Impartially
value.

and benefits which the owner or owners of said land

will sustain by the use or occupation of the same

required by the said railway company; and if re-

quired by the party or parties whose lands are to be

affected by the proceedings, or by the said railway

company, or their agent or agents, the jury shall
cause to be summoned by the sheriff such witnesses

Summon wit-
nesses.